Virtually every single movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is connected in one way or another. Some are more closely tied to some more than others, but then there is Black Panther, coming to theaters in February of 2018. Some are wondering just where it’s going to fit into the MCU, and now it is officially known that it will be directly connected to Avengers: Infinity War .
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has said that Phase Three is going to get going in a really big way, and that’s obvious as Captain America: Civil War drops in May. From there, it’s going to get even bigger as they build toward the semi-culmination with Infinity War, which will be released in two parts.
Speaking with Empire, via Comic Book Movies , Feige talked about a number of things, but had a lot to say about Black Panther and how it fits into the MCU. Believe it or not, the direction connection with the next Avengers flick is not what many may have expected.
“This one is important. It’s a big geo-political action adventure that focuses on the family and royal struggle of T’Challa in Wakanda, and what is means to be a king. T’Challa’s story is very important to us as it links to the next Avengers films, which is why we brought it forward.”
Again, some are finding it hard to think how it’s already in place to connect the two directly together. Feige did comment on how Black Panther will bring about all of Wakanda which is a “whole new setting and culture to explore.”
In Avengers: Age of Ultron , Wakanda was a location the team visited, and the very precious vibranium, which is only found in Wakanda in great abundance, played a role. Chadwick Boseman will officially bring Black Panther to life in the MCU when Civil War hits theaters in spring of 2016.
There is not a lot known about the plot of Black Panther or even really who will be in it. The hero’s nemesis, Ulysses Klaw (played by Andy Serkis), was also introduced in Age of Ultron , and he could end up coming back as he’s now known and in play.
According to Polygon , the stand-alone film is likely going to feature a primarily black cast, and that’s per Feige. Right now, Marvel is looking at Creed director Ryan Coogler to come in and helm Black Panther , and it appears like those talks are going in the right direction.
There have been some rumors that Ernie Hudson ( Ghostbusters ) could be cast in the role of King T’Chaka. For those not aware, he is the father of T’Challa, the man who is Black Panther.
The truly interesting thing about Black Panther being connected to Avengers: Infinity War is that not much is publicly known about the latter either. Sure, Marvel may know what’s going down, but no one else really does.
It is known that the two-part Phase Three conclusion will feature Josh Brolin as Thanos, and Feige said he is coming in a big way the next time fans see him.
“I wouldn’t look too hard in that movie ( Guardians of the Galaxy 2 ) for Thanos. The next time we see Thanos he will not be messing around. It will be, ‘Oh, that’s why they’ve been teasing this villain for five years!”
Marvel’s Phase Three is going to be absolutely huge, and currently, it will have films beginning in May of 2016 and the final coming in November of 2020. As of now, the slate includes:
2016
May 6: Captain America: Civil War November 4: Doctor Strange
2017
May 5: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 July 28: Marvel Studios co-produced Spider-Man film (Sony) November 3: Thor: Ragnarok
2018
February 6: Black Panther May 4: Avengers: Infinity War, Part 1 July 6: Ant-Man and The Wasp July 13: Untitled Fox Mystery Marvel film July 20: Spider-Man Animated Feature (Sony)
2019
March 8: Captain Marvel May 3: Avengers: Infinity War, Part 2 July 12: Inhumans
2020
May 1: Untitled Marvel Studios film July 10: Untitled Marvel Studios film November 6: Untitled Marvel Studios film
Black Panther was always going to play a huge part in Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe , but no one may have expected how big. Being directly connected to Avengers: Infinity War is going to put a lot more focus on the film, and really make it an incredibly important chapter in the epic saga of the Marvel heroes.
[Image via Marvel]